Joint strip and terrazzo surface using an improved joint strip

ABSTRACT

An improved joint and method for constructing a terrazzo surface are provided, including use of a joint strip, comprising opposing strip portions having upper wall surfaces that are joined by a solid upper joint strip channel wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/880,558 filed Sep. 20, 2013, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an improved joint strip and a methodof making a terrazzo surface using the improved joint strip.

Referring to PRIOR ART FIG. 1, terrazzo surfaces, e.g. floors, use apoured or precast composite material that is formed in a desired patternand with desired additional materials, e.g., decorative stones, marble,glass, etc., in a binder. Terrazzo is cured, ground and polished to asmooth surface.

A terrazzo floor usually begins with a base, or foundation that is threeto four inches deep, created using forms. Above that might be an inchpartially wet sandy concrete, in which metal divider strips are placedto form joints in the terrazzo. The divider strips may be placed andshaped as desired for the structure pattern (e.g., providing a curvedjoint and/or defining divides between different terrazzo regions). Thedivider strips themselves can be bent/shaped on-site to define thesurface pattern, or they may be pre-shaped.

Colored or varied materials may be used on an upper surface in thebinder for decoration. A weighted roller is then used over the surfaceto level materials. Other binders may also be used, e.g., polymer-basedbinders including polyester and vinyl ester resins or epoxy resins. Whenthe terrazzo is dried/cured, it is ground with a heavy grinder beforepolishing and sealing.

PRIOR ART FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary terrazzo floor, showngenerally at 10. Three distinct terrazzo patterns are shown at 12, 14and 16, with the patterns separated by joints 17. It can be seen thatterrazzo patterns 12 use a smaller stone pattern, terrazzo pattern 14uses a tiled pattern, and terrazzo pattern 16 uses a larger smoothedstone pattern. Joint strips (18 in PRIOR ART FIGS. 5-7) may be formed onsite using opposing strip pieces that are arranged in a desired pattern,as described above, or may be pre-formed according to the desiredpattern.

Referring now to PRIOR ART FIGS. 2-4, each side of a joint strip (20,28), which is used to define the joint 17, is typically formed from apiece of divider strip 20 having a bottom portion 22 and a wall portion24. The bottom portion includes a plurality of apertures 26, which maybe used to secure the joint strip in place.

Referring now to PRIOR ART FIGS. 5-6, opposing strip pieces 20 and 28define the joint channel 30 of a joint strip 18. These joint strips 18may be formed by separately laying down opposing strips 20, 28 (“rawstrips”) with the calculated spacing and desired geometry on-site duringformation of the surface.

Alternatively, joint strips 18 may be pre-assembled with a predeterminedspacing and geometry (shape, length, etc.) prior to installation. Thepre-made strips/joints 18 may be pre-assembled using a rubber orelastomeric filler to adhere the opposing strips 20, 28 together. PRIORART FIG. 7 illustrates use of such filler 32 within channel 30 for apre-assembled joint strip 18.

Either solution, described above, provides consistent problems in thefield, such as failure to perform and excessive labor to place and fillgaps between the strips. Further, pre-assembled joints suffer fromexpansion problems during manufacture of the surface, where componentstend to pull away during manufacture and cure. Indeed, strips pre-madewith a rubber filler have not been recommended by the NTMA (NationalTerrazzo and Mosaic Association) for those reasons.

What is needed in the art are improved joint and terrazzo manufacturingprocedure that avoids the expense and failure problems prevalent in thefield.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome oralleviated by the present improved joint strip and method forconstructing a terrazzo surface, including use of a joint strip,comprising opposing strip portions having upper wall surfaces that arejoined by a solid upper joint strip channel wall. In exemplaryembodiments, such improved joint strip may be installed during aterrazzo surface manufacturing procedure, with the solid upper jointstrip channel wall protecting the integrity of the channel geometry andshielding the channel from debris during manufacture. During thegrinding procedure, the solid upper joint strip channel wall may beground away to reveal a joint channel having optimal geometry. Inexemplary embodiments, the resulting exposed joint channel (or “gap”)spans ¼ inch (which is recommended by the NTMA and epoxy manufacturers).

In other exemplary embodiments, the joint channel may then be filledwith an elastomeric material or other material, as determined by theflooring contractor. Various other exemplary embodiments are alsocontemplated herein, e.g., a “backer rod” filler, a plastic rod filler,a wood filler, a neoprene/rubber filler, or the like (any removablefiller), that is removed after the grinding process (including grindingoff of the upper joint strip channel wall), with the joint channel beingfilled with required filler material thereafter. In other exemplaryembodiments, the joint strip channel under the upper joint strip channelwall is filled with an elastomeric filler, with the joint beingconsidered finished after grinding off of the upper joint strip channelwall and sealing of the surface.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the figures wherein like elements are numbered alike in theseveral figures:

PRIOR ART FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary terrazzo floor;

PRIOR ART FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a joint strip portionused in the conventional manufacture of a joint for a terrazzo floor;

PRIOR ART FIG. 3 illustrates a top elevation view of the joint stripportion of PRIOR ART FIG. 2;

PRIOR ART FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of the joint stripportion of PRIOR ART FIG. 2;

PRIOR ART FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an on-site assembledjoint strip comprising separate opposing strips;

PRIOR ART FIG. 6 illustrates a top elevation view of the on-siteassembled joint strip of PRIOR ART FIG. 5;

PRIOR ART FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of a pre-assembledjoint strip, using a filler for adhesion of opposing strips;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary joint strip of thepresent invention including an upper joint channel wall;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top elevation view of the exemplary joint strip ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of the exemplary joint stripof FIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of the exemplary joint stripof FIG. 10 with additional filler provided in the joint channel beforeinstallation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As was noted above, the present disclosure relates to an improved jointstrip and method for constructing a terrazzo surface using such improvedjoint strip for an expansion or control joint, the improved joint stripcomprising opposing strip portions having upper wall surfaces that arejoined by a solid upper joint strip channel wall.

In exemplary embodiments, such improved joint strip may be installedduring a terrazzo surface manufacturing procedure, with the solid upperjoint strip channel wall protecting the integrity of the channelgeometry and shielding the channel from debris during manufacture.During the grinding procedure, the solid upper joint strip channel wallmay be ground away to reveal a joint channel having optimal geometry. Inexemplary embodiments, the resulting exposed joint channel (or “gap”)spans ¼ inch (which is recommended by the NTMA and epoxy manufacturers).

Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary pre-formed joint strip isillustrated generally at 40. The joint 40 includes opposing side wallportions 42, 44 joined to opposing base portions 46, 48. A pre-formedjoint strip channel 50 is defined by opposing side wall portions 42, 44and an upper joint strip channel wall 52. During a terrazzo surface(floor or other surface) manufacture, the upper joint strip channel wall52 is configured to be ground away during the grinding of the surface(which is a typical pre-finishing procedure for terrazzo surfaces).

In other exemplary embodiments, after grinding away of the upper jointstrip channel wall 52, the joint channel may then be filled with anelastomeric material or other material, as determined by the flooringcontractor. Various other exemplary embodiments are also contemplatedherein, e.g., a “backer rod” filler, a plastic rod filler, a woodfiller, a neoprene/rubber filler, or the like (any removable filler),may be pre-installed in the joint strip channel 50 and removed after thegrinding process (including grinding off of the upper joint channelwall), with the joint channel 50 being filled with required fillermaterial thereafter. In other exemplary embodiments, the joint stripchannel 50 under the upper joint strip channel wall is pre-filled withan elastomeric filler (see FIG. 11, which shows a pre-filled joint stripchannel), with the joint being considered finished after grinding off ofthe upper joint strip channel wall and sealing of the surface.

Exemplary joint strip materials include zinc, aluminum, brass andstainless steel, among others.

Also, while any geometry, thicknesses, depths or gaps are contemplated,an exemplary embodiment contemplates thicknesses between about 0.001 and0.5 inches, depths between about 0.1 and 3 inches and gaps between ⅛ and3 inches. Varying depths may account for terrazzo surface depths toallow for proper clearance of the upper joint strip channel wall forgrinding during processing of the surface. Exemplary available depthsmay include standard depths, e.g., ⅜ inch, ½ inch, etc., or they may bemade to order. Also, the widths may vary, though an exemplary embodimentcontemplates 1.2 inches to accommodate for gap an exemplary ¼ inch gapwidth and for opposing bases that allow for ¼ inch apertures to securethe joint strip in place.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved joint strip for constructing aterrazzo surface, the improved joint strip comprising: opposing stripportions having opposing walls with upper wall surfaces that are joinedby a solid upper joint strip channel wall, the opposing walls and theupper joint strip channel wall defining a pre-made joint strip channel,said opposing strip portions including base portions configured tosecure said improved joint strip to a terrazzo surface.
 2. An improvedjoint strip in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pre-made jointstrip channel includes a filler.
 3. An improved joint strip inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said filler comprises a “backer rod”filler, a plastic rod filler, a wood filler, or a neoprene, rubber orelastomer filler.
 4. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 1,wherein said joint strip material comprises a zinc, aluminum, brass orstainless steel.
 5. An improved joint strip in accordance with claim 1,wherein said joint strip has a thicknesses between about 0.001 and 0.5inches, a depth between about 0.1 and 3 inches and pre-made joint stripchannel having an interior width of between ⅛ and 3 inches.
 6. A methodfor constructing a terrazzo surface, comprising: providing an improvedjoint strip, the joint strip comprising: opposing strip portions havingopposing walls with upper wall surfaces that are joined by a solid upperjoint strip channel wall, the opposing walls and the upper joint stripchannel wall defining a pre-made joint strip channel, said opposingstrip portions including base portions configured to secure saidimproved joint strip to a terrazzo surface; during installation of aterrazzo surface, installing said improved joint strip in predeterminedchannel locations; and grinding said upper joint strip channel wall awayduring grinding of the terrazzo surface to reveal a joint channel.
 7. Amethod in accordance with claim 6, comprising filling the joint channelwith a joint material.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 7, whereinsaid material is an elastomeric material.
 9. A method in accordance withclaim 6, wherein said joint channel spans ¼ inch.
 10. A method inaccordance with claim 6, wherein said joint strip channel includes oneor more of a “backer rod” filler, a plastic rod filler, a wood filler,and a neoprene/rubber filler that is pre-installed in the joint stripchannel and is removed after the grinding process.
 11. A method inaccordance with claim 10, further comprising filling the joint channelwith a filler.
 12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein saidfiller is an elastomer.
 13. A method in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid strip channel is pre-filled with a filler, and wherein said fillerremains in said joint channel after grinding off of said upper jointstrip channel wall.
 14. A method in accordance with claim 13, whereinsaid filler is an elastomeric filler.